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Drugs thrown from stolen car in police chase

Last updated 08:44 16/04/2014

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A trio who allegedly fled police at high speed, tossed a bag of what appears to be methamphetamine out the window then crashed into a creek are lucky to be alive, police say.

The chase started in the Hamilton suburb of Dinsdale shortly before 2am when officers pulled a car over for a routine stop on Whatawhata Rd, shift manager, Senior Sergeant Ray Malcomson, said.

Police discovered the car was stolen and told the three people inside to get out, but the 35-year-old man at the wheel took off ''at speed''.

Malcomson said the driver led police west to Te Pahu.

"At one point the driver has performed a U-turn on Limeworks Loop Rd and an object was thrown from the car,'' Malcomson said.

''Recovered, the 28g package has indicated a positive initial test for methamphetamine.''

The driver drove back along Limeworks Loop Rd where he performed another U-turn before losing control and crashing down a three metre bank, coming to rest on its side in a creek. The driver bolted but a police dog caught up with him.

Malcomson said despite attempting to escape arrest by attacking the police dog, the man was arrested and taken to Waikato Hospital suffering from a cut to his face caused in the crash and a number of dog bites.

The dog was uninjured.

The female passenger has also been taken to hospital for a check-up - neither party was considered to be seriously injured while the third person in the car was unhurt, Malcomson said.

"The driver faces a variety of charges including unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop, resisting arrest, assaults police and failing to stop. The passengers each face a charge of unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle while a decision is yet to be made in relation to drugs charges."